Ultrasonic fog maker and methods of drug delivery and air freshening

ABSTRACT

An ultrasonic fog generator creates a fog of a liquid such as water. The visual appearance of the fog may be altered such as by being illuminated by one or more lights having one or more colors. Further, the fog may be used to deliver pharmaceuticals to one or both of the lungs of a patient.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Chinese Design Patent ApplicationSer. Nos. ZL 01-3-53634.6 (Certificate No. 255801), ZL 01-3-53635.4(Certificate No. 253978), and (Certificate No. 253978 ) and ZL01-2-58009.0 (Certificate No. 515796), all (Certificate No. 515796 )both of which were filed on Nov. 16, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to creating fog, which may be in the formof mist. More particularly, the invention relates to using fog or mistin a visually appealing display or as a conduit for drug delivery.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are generally four types of visual vapor or fog generators on themarket today. Carbon dioxide (“CO₂”) fog generators generate a visualfog using a solid block of CO₂ (i.e., dry ice) which is dropped into abath of deionized (“DI”) water heated to 140° F. or higher. Onedisadvantage of CO₂ fog generators is that the fog quantity they produceis unregulated, i.e., the fog quantity cannot be readily applied in anysituation without adjusting the size of the of CO₂ block as the quantityof fog produced is largely based on the size of the block used. Further,in applications requiring a large amount of fog, the size of the CO₂ foggenerator can become large and cumbersome. In addition, as the CO₂ blockmelts, the quantity of fog output from the fog generator diminishes andthe temperature of the DI bath is lowered which, in time, will require areheating of the water or adding more hot water thereto. Further, whenthe CO₂ block melts, it must be replaced by another costly CO₂ block.

Helium bubble generators, as the name implies, generate small heliumfilled bubbles of water that float in the air at almost neutralbuoyancy. Unfortunately, helium bubble generators tend to produce asmall quantity of bubbles that may fail to create a dense and realisticfog. Further, increasing the helium levels in a room may have a negativeimpact on the comfort of people in the room.

A third type of fog generator generates a fog by passing steam fromboiling water through a bath of liquid nitrogen (“N₂”) creating a supercooled fog. Similar to the CO₂ block fog generator, liquid N₂ foggenerators tend to be large and require a continuous supply of costly ofliquid N₂. Further, these fog generators may be hazardous because theyrequire both a boiler to heat the water and extremely cold liquid N₂ tooperate.

Finally, ultrasonic fog generators create fog by vibrating a bath ofwater using ultrasonic sound. The fog may be disbursed through a longhose in which water vapor fog may condense.

One common fact among the aforementioned fog generators is the creationof fog in a way that fails to be visually pleasing, i.e., the only thingcreated is fog. In addition, the fog created serves no purpose otherthan perhaps being indicative of airflow and simulating fog.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention herein contains multiple embodiments including a housingfor an ultrasonic fog generator. In this embodiment, the housingincludes a transducer and a visually appealing display. The transduceris adapted to vibrate ultrasonically. When the housing is positioned ina source comprising a liquid and when the transducer vibratesultrasonically, the housing is adapted to create a fog from the liquidin the source; the fog emanates from the liquid source. The visuallyappealing display is adapted to alter an appearance of the fog.

In a further embodiment of the housing, the housing may be adapted to behand-held.

In another further embodiments of the housing, the liquid may be water.

In another further embodiment of the housing, the fog may be in the formof a mist.

In other further embodiments of the housing, the housing may additioninclude a sensor. Further, the sensor may be adapted to monitor aproperty of the liquid contacting the housing. In addition, a currentcontrol system may be adapted to stop vibration of the transducer inresponse to the monitored property.

In other further embodiments of the housing, the visually appealingdisplay may include at least one light. Further, the visually appealingdisplay may include at least two lights, wherein the lights are adaptedto radiate light of at least two different colors. In addition, thecolors which the lights are adapted to radiate may be variable.

In another further embodiment of the housing, the visually appealingdisplay may include at least two lights, wherein the lights are adaptedto radiate light of at least two different colors. In addition, thevisual display may also include a light diffuser through which the atleast two colors of light may pass.

In other further embodiments of the housing, the visually appealingdisplay may include at least one light and a stand adapted to supportthe housing. Further, the stand may maintain the housing and the liquidsource above a surface such that the fog may fall toward the surfaceafter emanating from the liquid source.

In another further embodiment of the housing, the transducer may beadapted to vibrate between about 1.6 MHz and about 1.8 MHz. Further, thetransducer may be adapted to vibrate at about 1.7 MHz.

In another further embodiment of the housing, the liquid may include afragrance that is dispersed in the fog.

The invention also contemplates a method for delivering at least onepharmaceutical to at least one lung of a patient. This method includes:(a) providing a source comprising the at least one pharmaceutical,wherein each of the at lest one pharmaceutical is in a substantiallyliquid form; (b) positioning a transducer in the source comprising theat least one pharmaceutical; (c) vibrating ultrasonically the at leastone pharmaceutical with the transducer, to create a fog of the at leastone pharmaceutical; (d) inhaling the fog formed of the at least onepharmaceutical, wherein the inhaling is done by the patient; and (e)delivering the fog to the at least one lung of the patient.

In a further embodiment of the method, the step of inhaling the fog mayinclude: (d)(1) passing the fog through an outlet of a housing whichcontains the source comprising the transducer and the at least onepharmaceutical; and (d)(2) delivering the fog to the mouth of thepatient through a conduit connected to the outlet.

In another further embodiment of the method, the method may furtherinclude: (f) monitoring a property of the at least one pharmaceuticalwith a sensor.

In another further embodiment of the method, the method may furtherinclude: (f) monitoring a property of the at least one pharmaceuticalwith a sensor; and (g) stopping the vibrating of the transducer ifproperty of the at least one pharmaceutical, as measured by the sensor,is outside a predetermined range for the property.

In another further embodiment of the method, the step of vibratingultrasonically the at least one pharmaceutical with the transducer mayinclude: vibrating the transducer at between about 1.6 MHz and about 1.8MHz, such as for example, at about 1.7 MHz.

The invention also contemplates a method for adding at least onefragrance to ambient air in a room. This method includes: (a) providinga source comprising the at least one fragrance, wherein each of the atleast one fragrance is in a substantially liquid form; (b) positioning atransducer in the source comprising the at least one fragrance; (c)vibrating ultrasonically the at least one fragrance with the transducer,to create a fog of the at least one fragrance; and (d) emanating the fogformed of the at least one fragrance into the ambient air.

In a further embodiment of the method of adding fragrance to the ambientair in a room, the fragrance may be dissolved in a liquid solvent.

In another further embodiment of the method of adding fragrance to theambient air in a room, the fragrance may be dissolved in a liquidsolvent. Further, the method may also include: (e) monitoring a propertyof the at least one fragrance and the liquid solvent in the source witha sensor.

In another further embodiment of the method of adding fragrance to theambient air in a room, the fragrance may be dissolved in a liquidsolvent. Further, the method may also include: (e) monitoring a propertyof the at least one fragrance and the liquid solvent in the source witha sensor.; and (f) stopping the vibrating of the transducer if propertyof the at least one fragrance and the liquid solved in the source, asmeasured by the sensor, is outside a predetermined range for theproperty.

In another further embodiment of the method of adding fragrance to theambient air in a room, the step of vibrating ultrasonically the at leastone fragrance with the transducer may include: vibrating the transducerat between about 1.6 MHz and about 1.8 MHz, such as for example, atabout 1.7 MHz.

The invention also contemplates a device for ultrasonically generating afog of at least one liquid pharmaceutical. The device includes atransducer and a source containing the at least one liquidpharmaceutical. The transducer is adapted to vibrate ultrasonically andis positioned in the at least one liquid pharmaceutical. When thetransducer vibrates ultrasonically, at least a portion of the at leastone liquid pharmaceutical is changed into a fog which emanates from thedevice.

In a further embodiment of the device, the device may be adapted to behand-held.

In another further embodiment of the device, the fog may emanate fromthe device through an outlet.

In another further embodiment of the device, the fog may emanate fromthe device through an outlet and into a conduit connected to the outlet.Further, the conduit may be adapted to transport the fog to a mouth of apatient.

In another further embodiment of the device, an air inlet may beprovided in the device to prevent a vacuum from developing in the deviceif the pressure at the outlet is greatly reduced.

In another further embodiment of the device, the fog may emanate fromthe device through an outlet and into a conduit connected to the outlet.Further, the conduit may be adapted to transport the fog to a mouth of apatient and the conduit may be formed a material selected from the groupconsisting of rubber and plastic.

In another further embodiment of the device, the at least onepharmaceutical may be adapted to treat a condition of a lung.

In another further embodiment of the device, the at least onepharmaceutical may be adapted to treat asthma.

In another further embodiment of the device, the transducer may beadapted to vibrate at between about 1.6 MHz and about 1.8 MHz, such as,for example, at about 1.7 MHz.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following descriptions, appendedclaims, and accompanying exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention andtogether with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a housing for an ultrasonic foggenerator, the housing having a plurality of lights thereon;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 1 showing anultrasonic transducer, a current control system interposed between apower source and the transducer, the cross-section being taken alongline II—II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the housing of FIG. 1 in a container ofliquid;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a container of having a lightdiffuser in the form of faux ice therein, the ice covering a housing ofthe type shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the housing and container of FIG. 3 supportedby a stand, the figure showing fog emanating from the container fallingtoward a surface under the stand;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 1, thecross-section being taken along live VI—VI in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram representing theoretically the function ofthe current control system; and

FIG. 8 is a depiction of an alternate embodiment fog generator in whichan ultrasound transducer and liquid are contained within a dispenserwhich has an outlet for directing fog to a patient through a conduit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodimentsof the invention, which are illustrated in the drawings. An effort hasbeen made to use the same reference numbers throughout the drawings torefer to the same of like parts.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a housing 10 for an ultrasonic foggenerator. The housing 10, which is preferably sized to be hand-held,has a plurality of lights 14, 16, 18, 20 thereon. Each of the lights 14,16, 18, 20 is adapted to emit a particular color of light which may bethe same as or different than the color emitted by one or more of theother lights 14, 16, 18, 20. In addition, each of the lights 14, 16, 18,20 may be adapted to change colors during use, i.e., the colors may bevariable. Power for the lights 14, 16, 18, 20 is provided by a powersource 30 and is delivered to the housing by a power cord 32, as laterdescribed in detail.

Also shown on a top side 22 of the housing 10 is an indicator lamp 24,an ultrasound depression 26 housing a transducer 40, and a sensor 73 ofa current control system 70 (later described in detail). The indicatorlamp 24 contains a light source, such as a light emitted diode (“LED”),a halogen bulb, etc, which will continuously radiate light when thehousing 10 is connected to a power source 30. It should be readilyapparent that the power source 30 may be and conventional power sourcesuch as a wall outlet proving AC current of a DC battery; the type ofpower source 30 employed will, however, determine whether an AC/DCconverter is necessary. Regardless, power entering the housing 10 shouldbe DC voltage, preferably at about 24 V. Accordingly, if an AC powersource is used, a transformer would be necessary.

As previously mentioned, the ultrasound depression 26 houses atransducer 40 contained within the housing 10. The transducer 40 may bea ceramic material which is adapted to vibrate at ultrasonic rates andwhich is electrically connected to the power source 30; the ceramicmaterial can change electrical oscillations into mechanical oscillations(i.e., the ceramic material may vibrate at ultrasonic rates). It iswithin the ultrasound depression 26 that a conductive or at leastsemiconductive liquid 50 will be converted to a fog 60, which may in theform of a mist, depending on the size of the droplets released into theair. The liquid 50 may be water, a pharmaceutical, a fragrance, acombination of any of these, or other liquid. Preferably, the housing 10will be submerged between about 1.0″ and about 2.0″ and preferably atabout 1.5″ in the liquid 50.

The liquid 50 within the ultrasound depression 26 is oscillated by thetransducer 40 within the housing 10 at between about 1.6 MHz and about1.8 MHz and preferably at about 1.7 MHz. A variety of ultrasonictransducers manufactured by Nanhai Gentle Electronic Company, Ltd.(China) are capable of producing these oscillations; one preferablemodel is sold under product no. DH-24B. Another capable transducer isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,361,024. One transducer 40 capable ofproducing such oscillations is shown in FIG. 2 which is across-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 1 taken along line II—IItherein. As shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the ultrasonic transducer40, the housing 10 also contains a current control system 70 (laterdescribed in detail).

As shown in FIG. 2, power is delivered to the transducer 40 from thesource 30 via a power cord 32 and through the current control system 70.If the volume of the liquid 50 above the housing 10 (as measured by thecurrent control system 70 and as later described in detail) is below apredefined limit, the current control system 70 may limit the amount ofcurrent from the power source 30 supplied to the transducer 40. At alater time when the volume of the liquid 50 above the housing 10 is ator above the predefined limit, the current control system 70 canincrease the current to the transducer 40 thereby enabling thetransducer 40 to oscillate, preferably ultrasonically.

Absent a current control system 70, if the housing 10 wereinsufficiently submersed, the transducer 40 may oscillate the liquidnear the surface to such a degree that liquid, rather than fog, may beejected from the container 100. Further, all of the liquid 50 on top ofthe housing 10 could be ejected from the container 100, thereby causingthe housing 10 to operate without any liquid thereon and, therefore,wasting power and possibly damaging the device (e.g., overheating theceramic transducer 40). Accordingly, to prevent this situation, acurrent control system 70 may be used to prevent power from reaching thetransducer 40 when the housing 10 is insufficient submerged (or notsubmerged) in a liquid 50.

The current control system 70, which is described in detail in ChinesePatent Document No. ZL 96,236,955.1 and which is incorporated herein byreference, will now be explained in detail with respect to FIGS. 6 and7. As shown in FIG. 6 (which is a cross-sectional view of the housing ofFIG. 1 taken along the VI—VI thereof), there is provided a circuit board72 which, in conjunction with the current control system 70, controlswhether power travels from the power source 30 to the transducer 40.

Connected electrically to the circuit board 72 is a first conductor 78(which may be a wire) which, in turn, is connected to a volume sensor73. The sensor 73, which projects out of the housing 10, includes aninsulation wrapping 25 and contains a material 27 which has a variableresistance, the material 27 preferably being copper. For example, theresistance of the material could change in response to the temperatureof the liquid 50 therearound, the temperature presumably being lower ina bottom portion of the container 100 holding the liquid 50 than in anupper portion thereof. For instance, a change in resistance based on achange is temperature is governed by the following equation:R_(T)=R_(O)[1+α(T−T_(O))]where R_(T) is the resistance at temperature “T”, R_(O) is theresistance at a reference temperature “T_(O)”, and α is a coefficient ofresistivity for a given material. By way of another example, theresistance of the material 27 could vary with the pressure appliedthereto by the liquid 50, the pressure being greater in a bottom portionof the container 100 than in an upper portion thereof. Such a change inresistance could be affected by a pressure sensitive resistor. However,the invention is not limited to any particular property which may alterthe resistance of the material 27.

As the sensor 73 is lowered in a liquid 50 (i.e., as the depth ofsubmersion increases), the resistance of the material 27 correspondinglyincreases. As a result, as the depth of the sensor 73 increases, thevoltage across the sensor 73 will increase, provided current remainssubstantially constant. In addition, the portion of the wrapper 25 onthe exterior of the sensor 73 which passes through the upper side 22 ofthe housing 10 may be sealed with laminate plastic and/or rosin glue.

On an opposite end of the sensor 73 there is provided a second conductor79. When housing 10 is immersed in a liquid 50 and the resistance of thematerial 27 increases, the voltage at the second conductor 79 increases.As the second conductor 79 is insulated by the wrapping 25, the wrapping25 acts as a dielectric between the second conductor 79 and the liquid50, i.e., the second conductor 79 and the liquid 50 form a capacitor. Asthe voltage experienced by the second conductor 79 increases, thecapacitance between the second conductor 79 and the liquid 50(represented by C_(x) in FIG. 7) will also increase.

As a result of the capacitance between the second conductor 79 and theliquid 50, current will flow in the liquid 50 (i.e., the other “plate”of the capacitor) and will pass through the conductive outer casing 74(e.g., which may be formed from a metallic material such as, forexample, chrome or copper) and back into the circuit board 72 via athird conductor 75, with a variable voltage. When the voltage at thethird conductor reaches a predetermined level, a comparator (representedby U2 in FIG. 7) will act to direct the current to the transducer 40thereby enabling it to oscillate, preferably ultrasonically.

It should be noted that as the power through housing is DCcurrent/voltage, there is no substantial risk of electrical shock fromthe current in the liquid 50. In light of the aforementioned, the depthof the water affects the sensor 73 and the voltage thereacross such thatit acts as a switch. It should also be noted that as the sensor 73 isinsulted (by the insulation wrapping 25) from the liquid 50, oxidationof the sensor 73 will be substantially inhibited.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the housing 10 of FIG. 1 in a container100 of liquid 50. As previously mentioned, the liquid 50 may be water, apharmaceutical, a fragrance, a combination of any of these, or otherliquid. Preferably, the liquid 50 is water. The housing 10 is placed inthe container 100 such that it is submersed in the liquid 50 (other thanthe power cord 32 which may not be submersed). The housing 10 issubmersed to a depth such that the transducer 40 will cause the liquidnear the surface of the liquid 50 to oscillate. As the liquid 50 nearthe surface oscillates, it will evaporate in the form of a visual fog ormist. The density of the fog or mist will depend on the depth at whichthis housing 10 is submersed in the liquid 50.

In conjunction with the container 100, the housing 10 (and the lights14, 16, 18, 20) can be incorporated into a visually appealing display.For example, as shown in FIG. 4 a light diffuser 110 (such as a pile offaux ice) may be added to the container 100 to cover the housing 10substantially. The light diffuser 110 may be formed to plastic, quartz,a clear polymer, or other clear generally solid material which will notdissolved in the liquid 50. Further, preferably, the light diffuser 110will not chemically react or internet with the liquid 50. In thisembodiment, the light emitted by the lights 14, 16, 18, 20 will radiatethrough the light diffuser 110, thereby illuminating the light diffuser110.

Regardless of whether a light diffuser 110 is provided, the container100 may be supported by a stand 120 (as shown in FIG. 5) therebymaintaining the container 100 above a surface 122. In this embodiment,when the fog is emitted by the liquid 50 in the container 100, it mayfall to the surface 122, provided the fog is more dense than the ambientair surrounding the container 100.

FIG. 8 is a depiction of an alternate embodiment fog generator 210 in ahousing 10 (as previously described) and liquid 50 are contained withina dispenser 200. The dispenser 200 has an outlet 200 for directing fogto a patient 204 through a conduit 206 preferably being formed of aflexible hose made of, for example, plastic or rubber. Essentially, thisembodiment of the fog generator 210 works in the same manner as thepreviously described embodiment. However, the fog produced thereby ischanneled through the outlet 202 and into a proximal end of the conduit206. To prevent condensation of the fog in the conduit 206, the lengthof the conduit 206 is preferably less than about 6″. In addition, toprevent a vacuum from being creating in the dispenser 200, an air inlet203 may be provided. Further, to prevent fog from inadvertently leavingthe dispenser 200 through the inlet 203, an air filter 207 may beprovided which substantially covers the inlet 203.

If the patient 204 maintains a distal end of the conduit 206 in hismouth 205, the fog may be inhaled into one or both of the patient'slungs. If the liquid 50 is a pharmaceutical, the fog thereof which isinhaled can be quickly transported to the blood of the patient via thecapillaries in the lungs. In addition, if the patient suffers fromasthma or other lung condition, the delivery to the lungs of thepharmaceutical in the form of the fog can provide quick treatment forsuch condition.

Although the aforementioned describes embodiments of the invention, theinvention is not so restricted. It will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that various modifications and variations can be made to thedisclosed preferred embodiments of the present invention withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the invention. Accordingly, itshould be understood that the apparatus and method described herein areillustrative only and are not limiting upon the scope of the invention,which is indicated by the following claims.

1. A housing for an ultrasonic fog generator, the housing comprising: atransducer adapted to vibrate ultrasonically, wherein when the housingis positioned in a source comprising a liquid and when the transducervibrates ultrasonically, the housing is adapted to create a fog from theliquid in the source, the fog emanating from the liquid source; and avisually appealing display adapted to alter an appearance of the fog,the visually appealing display comprising: a stand adapted to supportthe housing; and at least two lights adapted to radiate light of atleast two different colors, wherein the stand maintains the housing andthe liquid source above a surface, and wherein the fog is adapted tofall toward the surface after emerging from the liquid source.
 2. Thehousing according to claim 1, wherein the housing is adapted to behand-held.
 3. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the liquid iswater.
 4. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the fog is in theform of a mist.
 5. The housing according to claim 1, further comprising:a sensor.
 6. The housing according to claim 5, wherein the sensor isadapted to monitor a property of the liquid contacting the housing, andwherein a current control system is adapted to stop vibration of thetransducer in response to the monitored property.
 7. The housingaccording to claim 1, wherein the colors which the lights are adapted toradiate are variable.
 8. The housing according to claim 1, wherein thevisual display further comprises a light diffuser through which the atleast two colors of light pass.
 9. The housing according to claim 1,wherein the transducer is adapted to vibrate to vibrate at between about1.6 MHz and about 1.8 MHz.
 10. The housing according to claim 1, whereinthe transducer is adapted to vibrate at about 1.7 MHz.
 11. The housingaccording to claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises a fragrance that isdispersed in the fog.
 12. A method for adding at least one fragrance toambient air in a room, the method comprising the steps of: providing ahousing according to claim 1, the housing further comprising the atleast one fragrance, wherein each of the at least one fragrance is in asubstantially liquid form; vibrating ultrasonically the at least onefragrance with the transducer, to create a fog of the at least onefragrance; and emanating the fog formed of the at least one fragranceinto the ambient air.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein thefragrance is dissolved in a liquid solvent.
 14. The method according toclaim 13, further comprising the step of: monitoring a property of theat least one fragrance and the liquid solvent in the housing with asensor.
 15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising thestep of: stopping the vibrating of the transducer if property of the atleast one fragrance and the liquid solvent in the housing, as measuredby the sensor, is outside a predetermined range for the property. 16.The method according to claim 22, wherein the step of vibratingultrasonically the at least one fragrance with the transducer comprises:vibrating the transducer at between about 1.6 MHz and about 1.8 MHz. 17.The method according to claim 16, wherein the step of vibratingultrasonically the at least one fragrance with the transducer comprises:vibrating the transducer at about 1.7 MHz.